Frequently Asked Questions on Wound Care

Is there any problem if my wound gets wet in the shower?

Wetting your wound is a matter of concern when you have exposed bones, staples or stitches. And if you have been told to keep it dry by your doctor in that case, it is advisable to cover your wound when taking a shower. You can use a plastic bag to keep it dry while you shower.

Should I be concerned if an area on my skin shows change in color?

In many cases the change is usually harmless and can be ignored. But, if there is a redness on your skin then you should be concerned. You must keep an eye on this change and monitor it daily. Redness might require you to pay a visit to your doctor immediately.

What role does diabetes play in wound healing?

The blood sugar has to be kept low when a wound is in the healing process. High levels of blood sugar can slow down or prevent the healing of wound. Your doctor can help you keep it in check.

What is recommended - keeping the wound exposed or covered?

Keeping the wound covered helps in its healing faster. That is why a doctor covers the wound with a dressing. The dressing provides the right balance of moisture required for healing and enables the good bacteria to function and thus, disallow infection. The healing cells are also able to cover the wound with new smooth tissue faster.Covering a wound also reduces the chance of scarring. This is because it helps prevent scabbing. The earlier belief was to let a wound be exposed to the air and allow a scab to form. But this scab actually slows the healing process. And on falling off, it leaves a visible mark.

What is the significance of the terms ‘antimicrobial’ and ‘antibacterial’ in relation to Wound Care?

Antimicrobial refers to properties of an agent that has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Antibacterial refers to properties of an agent that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Both these properties are important when caring for a wound.

How does one differentiate between an antiseptic and an antibiotic?

An antiseptic solution helps clean wounds, getting rid of germs and dirt. And an antibiotic is what provides protection to a wound from developing infections. It offers an optimal healing environment.

How does this dressing work?

Wound exudates are absorbed by this dressing and turned into a gel. In some cases the cohesive gel stays within the dressing. But most of the times, the gel is less sticky and not retained within the dressing. When in the whole state, this dressing is watertight. But with the advancement of gelling, the dressing becomes porous and allows for the loss of water. This helps the dressing cope with the exudate being produced.

What are the properties of hydrocolloid dressings?

This dressing is easy to use and offers effective occlusion. It has a softening effect on dry wounds. User needs to change the dressing once in every 3 to 5 days. The hydrocolloid dressing is ideal for granulating, superficial wounds with low to medium exudate. And does not cause trauma on removal.

What kind of a wound is more suitable for a hydrocolloid dressing?

Some studies reveal that a hydrocolloid dressing is not suitable for medium-to-high exuding wound and that it is more effective on low-to-medium wounds. Other studies say that this kind of dressing may even bring down the rate of exudation. Basically, how much fluid the dressing absorbs varies.

What are the chances of a burn injury leaving behind a scar?

All burn injuries, except first degree burns, leave behind some kind of a scar.

How are scars caused?

Changes in the skin lead to scars. For example, after a burn the skin loses part of its structure and this loss is replaced by scar tissue. All this - the thinness, the irregularity and the scar tissue - form the scar.

What is a soft silicone dressing?

A soft silicone dressing is a dressing coated with soft silicone as an adhesive or a wound contact layer. Soft silicone belongs to a specific family of solid silicones which are soft. These dressings can be removed without trauma to the wound or surrounding skin.

Can soft silicone have any effect upon a wound or the wound-healing process?

Silicone is static so it does not interact chemically with the wound or effect the cells aiding in the healing process. Again, the wound healing process is not disturbed when taking off the dressing since soft silicone dressings can be taken off easily and do not traumatise the wound or the surrounding skin.

Is it possible that soft silicone can enter the system and produce an undesirable effect?

Silicone is insoluble in wound exudate and the size of its molecules do not allow it to penetrate through cell membranes or pass through the skin into blood vessels. Therefore, soft silicone cannot enter the circulatory system. So, they cannot have any adverse effect on the system.

How can I use a compression pump for treating ulcers and open wounds?

If your wound or ulcer is not infected, then you can use the compression pump on a venous ulcer or an open wound. Using the pump will help drain the wound significantly. Once you have treated it with the pump, clean and change the dressing immediately.

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